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Nepal

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

May 2025

Transitional justice commission appointments face scrutiny
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On 14 May 2025, the government appointed 10 officials to lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, aimed at addressing human rights abuses committed during the 1996-2006 armed conflict. Despite being established nearly a decade ago, the bodies were without leadership for the past two years. The government’s passage of the transitional justice law in 2024 allowed for new leadership appointments to be made. However, rights groups and victims have criticized the selection process for being politically influenced and lacking transparency, with no public consultation. Conflict victims have urged the government to correct the flawed process or risk undermining the justice effort altogether. Although no direct response to these concerns have been given, officials have expressed that they are committed to ensuring justice for victims and urged citizens to trust in the process and commissioners.

Sources: International IDEAThe Kathmandu Post (1), The Kathmandu Post (2), Human Rights Watch, The Kathmandu Post (3)

March 2025

Pro-monarchy protests turn violent

On 28 March, protests demanding the restoration of the monarchy turned violent, resulting in at least two deaths and over 112 injured. While calls to reinstate the monarchy in Nepal are not new, these clashes were the most severe since 2015. Political analysts noted that various motivations fuelled the protests. Although support for the monarchy remains limited, the protests reflect widespread public dissatisfaction with governance and political instability.  In response, the government imposed a curfew and deployed the military to restore order. Several protest leaders were arrested on charges of instigating violence. Political experts have criticized security officials for being unprepared and failing to contain the unrest. It remains unclear as to who is responsible for the deadly violence, with a government investigation ongoing.  

Sources:  The Kathmandu Post, New York Times, The Annapurna Express, The Diplomat, Frontline Magazine 

February 2025

Controversial laws threaten freedom of the press and expression
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On 10 February, the National Assembly passed the Media Council Bill 2080, aimed at enhancing the accountability and credibility of print and digital journalism in Nepal. The bill replaces the Press Council with the Media Council, tasked with regulating media conduct and advising the government on media policy. However, media professionals and rights advocates have criticized a contentious provision requiring a government-appointed chairperson in the 11-member council, warning that it compromises the council’s independence. Separately, Nepal’s government introduced the Social Media Act Bill on 9 February to regulate social media platforms and users through stricter registration requirements, penalties and content management. Free speech advocates have urged the government to amend and withdraw both bills due to concerns that they could undermine press freedom and digital expression.

Sources: The Kathmandu Post, IFEX, International Federation of Journalists, My Republica

August 2024

Nepal passes long-awaited transitional justice law

On 22 August, Nepal's National Assembly passed a bill amending the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act to address human rights abuses committed during the 1996-2006 armed conflict. During the conflict, both the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and government forces committed atrocities, including widespread torture, rape, killings and disappearances. The law will assist in addressing these crimes, offer victim reparations, and potentially allow reduced sentences for remorseful and cooperative perpetrators. The new law brings new appointments to Nepal’s two transnational justice bodies - the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons - established nearly a decade ago but without leadership for the past two years, during which thousands of families have awaited justice. While the United Nations and European Union praised the law as an important milestone towards accountability, human rights experts argue that many of the law's provisions remain vague, fall short of international standards in classifying war crimes and addressing torture, and are too lenient on perpetrators. Rights advocates have urged the government to close these "accountability gaps" to ensure the law's effective implementation.

Note: An earlier version of this report suggested that a new investigative commission was established. The report has been corrected to note that two existing commissions will be able to have new leaders appointed.

Sources: The Kathmandu Post, Deutsche Welle, Nepali Times, Human Rights Watch, United Nations, The Diplomat

Government lifts TikTok ban after nine months

On 22 August, the Nepalese government lifted a nationwide ban on the social media platform TikTok. The ban was first imposed in November 2023 by the previous government, citing concerns over its disruptive effect on “social harmony, goodwill and flow of indecent materials.” Rights advocates had widely criticized the ban as an attack on freedom of expression and speech. The government has said that TikTok and all social media platforms may operate, given that they comply with the rules and regulations set out in the ‘Directive on the Operation of Social Networking 2023,’ which includes paying taxes and opening a liaison office in the country.

Sources: International IDEA, The Kathmandu Post, The Associated Press

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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2024

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Representation
62/173
Rights
70/173
Rule of Law
78/173
Participation
73/173

Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
30 547 580
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli (since 2024)
Head of government party
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Parallel
Women in lower or single chamber
33.1%
Women in upper chamber
37.3%
Last legislative election
2022
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
5.89
Head of state
President Ram Chandra Poudel
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly + regional/local representatives)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
21/01/2021
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
84.12%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
No Action
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
No Action
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

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Representation neutral Rights
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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

Hover over the trend lines to see the exact data points across the years

Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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